The journal "International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management" is coming out with a special issue on climate change and biodiversity assets. They are currently seeking submissions for original articles on this thematic subject. The special issue is set to be published in spring 2018.

The goal of this special issue is to collect new studies on Climate Change and Environmental Assets Challenging Topics and Relevance in the International Arena (Global, Regional, National) together with The connections between Biology and Ecology of Global Change and Economic, Social and Environmental impacts (Adaptability of SES systems to Climate Change) to identify areas where more knowledge is needed and to recommend possible policy-related actions that could be pursued. The objective is to publish original, high-quality articles that deepen the theoretical and practical understanding on this thematic subject. You can read more about the call for papers on their site or by clicking below. Read More...

This guest blog was written by Stephanie Lyons, Policy Analyst (Water Security and Climate Change) for WaterAid's Global Policy Team. Ms. Lyons represented the AGWA Policy Group at the UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance meeting in Bonn, which took place March 7-9. The following report outlines future plans for the SCF in 2017 and beyond.

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The 15th meeting of the UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) brought together the SCF’s member countries and observers to take forward its work in 2017. This was the first of two SCF meetings for 2017 (aside from the SCF Forum); the second meeting has been tentatively scheduled for 18-22 September 2017. An abridged summary of the SCF’s main agreements follows; detailed daily summaries are available from the Climate Finance Advisory Service and documented outcomes are available from the UNFCCC Secretariat. Read More...

On World Water Day (March 22) SIWI will be announcing this year's recipient of the Stockholm Water Prize. The world’s most prestigious water award, Stockholm Water Prize, honours women, men and organizations whose work contributes to the conservation and protection of water resources, and to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.

The announcement will be broadcast live on Facebook and shared on social media channels. To view the live broadcast, you are encouraged to follow SIWI on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SIWImedia) and to use #StockholmWaterPrize. The announcement will take place at 10 a.m. CET.

AGWA has just released the March edition of its newsletter -- available here. In this edition we cover the recent Oroville Dam story in California. In these articles you'll see a clear example of climate-infrastructure mismatch that reminds us of the importance of our work.

This issue also contains a great deal of the latest climate and water news. You'll find sections on ecosystem and infrastructure trends, adaptive governance and policy, sustainable finance, and many upcoming events. Plus, it highlights funding opportunities and the latest publications. Enjoy! Read More...

The Nairobi Work Programme has released its synthesis report on health and adaptation. It is now available online to view or download. Below is a synopsis of the report provided by the NWP.--Climate change presents a risk to health in a variety of ways. The health risks resulting from climate change impacts in countries are changing and the interlinkages between health, climate change and other drivers of global environmental changes are complex and need to be better understood. A large number of activities ranging from policies that are planned and implemented by governments, to various actions undertaken by intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and communities are already under way in order to address climate change impacts on health. However, a number of challenges, particularly with regard to awareness and education, as well as planning, capacity and financial mechanisms continue to limit action on the ground.

In order to better protect human health from the impacts of climate change, numerous collaborative actions need to be implemented. During the 10th Focal Point Forum of the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, which focused on health and adaptation, Parties, partner organizations and experts discussed a range of collaborative actions to protect health from the impacts of climate change and to develop resilient health systems.

This document provides a synthesis of information on the impacts of climate change on human health, and on emerging activities, challenges and opportunities for collaborative climate action, including under the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. It is based on the information submitted by Parties, partner organizations and other relevant organizations, and inputs from participants during and after the 10th Focal Point Forum on health and adaptation. Read More...

The AGWA policy group, coordinated by SIWI, has released a new policy brief outlining successful steps towards implementation of the Paris Agreement.

One of the keys to fulfill the goals set in the Paris Agreement will be wise water management. Water was on the agenda at the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakesh (COP22), and its key role in strengthening resilience to climate change cannot be overstated. The role of water holds great potential for synergies in adaptation and mitigation, as illustrated in the priorities outlined in the national climate plans. In this policy brief, developed by members of the AGWA policy group, recommendations on how water can inform the implementation of the Paris Agreement, illustrated through its role in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are presented.

We would like to draw your attention to “Managing fragmentation and complexity in the emerging system of international climate finance", a special issue of the journal International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics. The special issue, edited by Jonathan Pickering, Carola Betzold and Jakob Skovgaard, focuses on mapping the fragmented climate finance system, analysing the causes and consequences of fragmentation and discussing policy responses. This is done through in-depth articles covering topics including the allocation and ambiguity of adaptation finance, mobilising private adaptation finance, and exploring the role of Multilateral Development Banks, finance ministries and domestic party politics in climate finance allocation and negotiations. The introduction and a few other articles are open access (see below).

The authors' post on the INOGOV blog provides more explanation of the post-US election state of affairs of the climate finance system and of the contributions of the special issue. Read More...